The 30 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs of 2019

Most

Inspiring Entrepreneurs

EBelieve andAchieve!

Whomdowecallentrepreneur?Isittheonewhohasalltherequiredknowledgeortheonewhohassources

suchascapital,network,andpeople?Inmyopinion,entrepreneurshipisallaboutself-belief,perseverance, courage,andcompetence.Ihavereadmanysuccessstories,whichnarratethatbeinganentrepreneur requiresthewillingnesstocrossthelineandbring,developorcreatesomethingoutofthebox,despitealltheoddsand impossibilities.Therearemanyinstancesofentrepreneurswhowerehomeless,uneducated,andfailedmanytimes,but theynevergaveupontheirdreamsandmadefortunefromnothing.

JohnPaulDeJoriaisoneoftheentrepreneurs,whosestoryisnotjustinspiringbutsoundslikefairytale.Attheageof twenty-two,Johnwashomelessandspentnightsonthestreets,buthisvisionforentrepreneurshipmadehimoneofthe greatstoriesofachievingtheAmericanDream.Hehasco-foundedtwoiconiccompanies,JohnPaulMitchellSystems andPatrónSpirits,andhaspersonalnetworthofover$4billion.Johnisnotaloneinthislist,WhatsAppfounderJan Koum,mediamogulOprahWinfrey,Forever21foundersJinSook&DoWonChangandMichaelRubinanecommercepioneer,alltheseareshowingalternatedefinitionofsuccess.Buttheirprincipalsarestillthesamepassion, determinationandwillingnesstoworkhard.

Everyentrepreneur’sjourneyisinspiringintheirownway,butitisimportanttolookwhatistheidea,reasonor motivationthatinspirethemtoachievefeatslikenoonecanimagine.Theseentrepreneurshipstoriesarebeaconfor

them,whoarebuddingtochangeandhavecapabilitytotransformtheirideasintosomethingnew.Inordertoshedlight ontheentrepreneurs’inspiringapproaches,InsightsSuccesshascuratedalistof"The30MostInspiringEntrepreneurs of2019",whoarerevolutionizingthebusinessconceptsandconsumerstandards.

OurCoverStoryfeaturesNicoleRodrigues,FounderandCEOofNRPRGroupandtheYoungDreamersFoundation. Sheisanaward-winning,techsavvy,well-roundedpublicrelationsandmarketingpro.Nicole’sextensiveknowledgein bridgingthegapbetweenthetechnologyandvariousconsumerindustriesmakesherextremelyvaluabletoherteam andclients.Shehasmorethan19+yearsofexperienceinPR,socialmediaanddigitalmarketing. Delveintomoresuchinspiringstoriesandlessonsfrommanysuchsignificantentrepreneursinthisissueandreapthe fruitsofmotivation.Also,makesuretoscrollthroughthearticleswrittenbyourin-houseeditorialteamandCXO standpointsofsomeoftheleadingindustryexpertstohaveabrieftasteofthesector.

HappyReading

For achievers, adverse situations are silver lining of their success.

“ “

Rohit Chaturvedi

Nicole Rodrigues Founder and CEO NRPR Group

The 30 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs of 2019

Nicole Rodrigues

ExemplifyingtheFourPs-Purpose, Principle,People,andProcess

“

Ileadbyexamplewiththe intentionofsatisfyingclients andmyagencyteam.

An entrepreneur is willing to do something other people won’t to have things that other people can’t.

PublicRelationisawayto connectanorganizationwithits keyaudiencethroughspreading informationwhichisrelatedto customer’sinterest.PRagencieshave theresponsibilitytomaintain marketing,media,communication campaigns,andnewsofthe organizationtoincreasebrand awarenessandestablishitsreputation. TheeverevolvingindustrycausesPR agenciesandPRprostobringmore initiativestostayaheadinthecourse.

Tobuildacomprehensivemarketing strategy,PRexecutiveshavetobe inquisitive,visionary,andwillingness toinvestinrelationships.OnesuchPR leaderisNicoleRodrigues,a marketingprowithextensive knowledgeinPR,socialmediaand digitalmarketing.Sheisthefounder, andCEOofNRPRGroupand bringingefficiencywithhervaluable ideas.

Belowarehighlightsfromthe interviewconductedbetween Nicole and Insights Success:

Giveabriefoverviewofyour backgroundandyourroleinNRPR Group.

ItrulyfeellikeIwasborntobeinPR andI’mlivingmypurposeeveryday whenIshowuptowork.IlovedPR fromthesecondItookPR101in collegeanddeclaredPRasmymajor.I knewIwantedtoownmyownPR agencywhileIwasincollegeand learningaboutallthewaysPRhelps companies.However,Ididnotwantto

makeithappenuntilIwaswellpreparedandmasteredeverylevelasa PRprofessional,soIcouldbeagood teachertoateamI’deventuallylead. Myvisionwastocreateanagency whoseclients,mediaandemployees wouldbeconfidentthattheywere workingwiththebest. ThewayIdo thatisIcreaterelationships,build friendships,andfosterthemwitha specialhumantouchforthebenefitof ourclientsandmedia.That’swhy, whenNRPRtakesonaclient,I’m personallyinvolvedwiththeaccount.

NRPRGroupservesconsumer,digital, andenterprisetechnologycompanies, workingwiththemonpublicrelations, digitalmarketing,socialmedia, marcomms,events,thoughtleadership andmore.WeworkcloselywithCEOs, executives,andinternalmarketingand PRteamstouncoverthepassion, vision,anddifferentiatorswithinany givencompany,andsharethosestories withappropriatekeyaudiences.

Whatarethestrategiesadaptedby yourcompanyforpublicityand digitalmediamarketingexcellence?

Ihavelovedsportssincechildhoodand wasacheerleaderfortheOakland Raiders,inadditiontobeingpartof theirpublicrelationsdepartment.I bringthischeerleadingandcoaching styletoachievesuccessfortheagency, clientsandemployees.Ileadby examplewiththeintentionof satisfyingclientsandmyagencyteam. Whenmyemployeesarehappy,they're producingtheirbestwork,andtheir

bestworktranslatesintogreatworkfor clients.Greatworkforclients translatesintomorebusiness.

Ihavetaughtmyteamnevertotakethe shortcutorlazywaytotrytoachieve goalsforclients.Publicrelationsisnot issuingapressreleaseandseeing whichmediaoutletsrunit. Ihave learnedtorespecteditorsandknow thatwithoutmedia,PRpeople wouldn’thavejobs.Respectentails takingthetimetoresearchtheir outlets,audienceandcoveragebefore pitchingwiththegoalofstartinga genuinerelationshipwiththem,and pitchingthemwithenoughembargo timeforthemtoactuallywrite. Workingcloselywithclients,myteam andIfindcreativewaystotellclients’ stories.Publicrelationsisproactively

seekingopportunitiesforcoverage beforetheclientasks.Itispartofthe integratedmarketingplanofa companyandcannotbesilo’daway. Mostofall,publicrelationsranges fromstrategicmessagingandpress releasedevelopmenttodetermining timingofannouncements,strategies foroutreach,campaignbuilding,and somuchmore.

Whatarethevariousservices providedbyNRPRGroup?

Theagencyofferspublicrelations, marketingcommunications,social mediamarketing,events,influencer relations,executivethoughtleadership building,anddigitalmarketing services.Likemostagencies,weoffer traditionalservicesonamonthly retainerbasis.

However,wespecializeinhelping businessesofallsizestoreachtheir businessgoalswithtailoredplansthat mapbacktoresults.TheNRPRteam sharesclientstorieswithappropriate keyaudiences,andeducatingthemon whatpublicrelationscanandcannot doandhowitworks.Withclear planningandcohesivemessaging, NRPRstrategicallyleadsclients, helpingthemtohitidentifiedbusiness goals.Theteamareexpertsinbuilding themediarelationshipsneededtogain clienttrustanddeliverwhattheyneed withtheendresultofbenefittingboth clientsandmediathroughmeaningful coverage.

HowNRPRGrouphelpsincreating thebestcontentallacrosssocial mediaandvariousinternet platforms?

Thefirstlessonforclientsisthatyour reputationfollowsyoueverywhere.It’s importantforindividualsand companiestounderstandhowyou’re portrayingyourselfonline.NRPR workswithclientstomonitordigital reputationascloselyaswedofor physicalones. Weworkwithclientsto helpthemdevelopanonlinepersona andhowtoleveragevarioussocial mediachannelstothebestbenefit. Eachsocialnetworkhasitsown personalityandaudienceandmessages postedmustcatertoboth.Itisalso importanttokeepamixofseriousand funtopicsthatrepresentone’sindustry, productsandcompanycultureor personality.

Whatwerethepastexperiences, achievementsorlessonsthatshaped yourjourney?

Ihaveworkedhardthroughoutmylife andhavetriedtolearnfromexperience alongtheway.

Personally,Iamtheoldestofnine children,borntoworking-class parents.Mymotheralwaystoldme thatIcoulddoorhaveanythingI wantedaslongasIwaswillingto workforit.Iwasthefirstinthefamily tograduatecollegeandworkedhardin highschooltoearnscholarships.Iheld threejobsduringcollegetopayformy education.Youneedtocreateone’s ownpathinliferegardlessofthe circumstancesintowhichoneis thrown.Ihaveturnedthisviewpoint intoadedicationtomentoringbothmy staffandthroughmyYoungDreamers Foundation.YoungDreamersisan ongoingprogramthroughwhich mentorsspeakwithstudentsabout settinggoals,buildingpersonalbrands, andperseveringthroughlife’s downturns.Iamalsothemotherofan 18-year-olddaughterwhomIam teachingtobeself-confidentand independent.

Professionally,mytimeatMOBITVis oneofmybiggestsuccessesbasedon whatIlearnedandaccomplished workingwithmedia,strategyand timingtoassurethatMOBITVwas includedinsignificantmediaoutlets. NRPRGroupnowservesasMOBITV agencyofrecordinrecognitionofthe diligenceandpersistenceIdisplayed whenworkingthere.WithPRasthe strongestmarketingarm,MOBITVhas gonefromzeropay-TVcustomers,to morethan90 injustthreeyearssince webroughtthemonasafull-time client.TheCEOhasvowedthat MOBITVwon’tdoPRwithoutNRPR, whichishighpraise.

Accordingtoyou,whatisthe importanceoftheabilitytodevelop comprehensivestrategiesintherole ofentrepreneur?

Toputitsimply,asthesayinggoes,a goalwithoutaplanisjustawish. Strategicplanningrequiresdeveloping goals,evaluatingthosegoalsinterms

offeasibility,timelinetoaccomplish andmeasuresofsuccessoncethe associatedtasksarecompleted.Ihave developedgoalsforNRPRregarding geographicgrowth,staffing,client acquisitioninadditiontothegoalswe createinconjunctionwithclientstoaid theminreachingtheirbusinessand revenuegoals.PublicRelationsand mediacoverageareelementsofa company’stotalsalesandmarketing endeavorsandbottom-linegrowth.

Whatweresomeoftheprimal challengesandroadblocksthatyou facedduringtheinitialphaseofyour journey?

EarlyinmycareerIwascriticizedfor beinganupbeatwomanwhoalso dresseswellandtakescareofherself. Thecriticismcamemostlyfrom women,andit’sashame.Also,from menwhowouldnottakemeseriously, earlyinmycareer,becauseIwastoldI was“tooprettytobesmart.” Ifeltlike Icouldnotwin.Ididn’twanttodress down,sowhatdidIdo?Isteppeditup. Inboardroomsandmeetings.Ibrought myA-gamebecauseIwantedtobe takenseriously,whetheranynegative women,orsexistmenthoughtIcould ornot.I’veneverstoppedthatandnow Ihaveearnedtherespectofestablished meninmultipleindustrieswholisten towhatIhavetosayandrespectmy expertise.Asforwomen,sadtosay,I wishmoreofthemwouldbekindand supportiveofeachother.Imakeita pointtobekindandalsomakeita pointtostayawayfromwomenwho

justcan’tgetoutoftheirownnegative waysofthinking.

WhereNRPRGroupseesitselfin thenearfutureandhowwillyou catalyzethechange?

In2019,NRPRGroupiscelebrating ourfifthanniversary,whichisaterrific accomplishmentwhenthemajorityof businessesfailearlyon.Inthenear future,NRPRwillcontinuetoexpand andfindnew,innovativewaystoserve itsclients.Inlinewithitsvision, NRPRisincreasingitspresenceacross theSanFranciscoBayArea,Los Angeles,LasVegas,andNewYork.

Whatisyouradviceforthe emergingentrepreneurs?

Ihaveseveralpieceofadvice.First:do notgiveintosocietalstigmastostop youfromdivingintowhatyouwant. Don’tletanyonetellyouthat somethingisnotappropriatefora woman.

Second,ifyouwanttobetakenmore seriously,don’tbringemotionand outside“stuff”toworkwithyou.Your bosses,I’vefound,especiallymen, don’trespectthat.Focusonworkwhen intheofficeandleaveyourpersonal issuesathome.

Third,itisOKtoforwomentochase yourdreamsasmendoandstillbe nurturingtoyourchildren.Yourkids willunderstand,andtheywilllookup toyouandadmireyouforthehard workandhustleyouputintoyour work.Iwanttoencourageworking mothersandfutureworkingmothersto takeprideinthefactthatwomenin power,whoaregreatatworkaregreat atlife.

If you want to be taken more seriously, don’t bring emotion and outside “stuff” to work with you.

Demi Markogiannaki is one of the founders of WeTeachMe, Australia's first trusted and multi-awarded

marketplace to list, discover, and book in-person courses. She has been included twice on the list of the most successful businesswomen under 40 in Australia, and in 2018, Demi was among the 100 women who, according to the Financial Review, have the greatest influence in the country.

Demi Markogiannaki co-founder WeTeachMe

community

Photographer: Nathalie Saruhashi

AbouttheAuthor

Assertive Leadership

Tips for Millennial Women in Business

Womeninbusinesshavecomealongwaysince KatharineGraham,thefirstfemaletoleada Fortune500company,assumedtheroleof WashingtonPostCEObackin1972.HereinAustralia, womennowcomprise42%ofallemployeesandmorethan 30%ofallbusinessowner-managers.InthelargeAustralian corporations,thestoryisquitedifferent;womenholdthe reinsatonly10%oftoday’scompaniesand14ofourTop 200firms.

Thedatasuggestthatit’sbecomingmoredifficultfor womentomakethejumpfromkeyexecutivetochief executive.MacquarieGroupfounderMarkJohnson believesitmighttakeanother20yearsforthescalestotip againinourfavour.It’sthestoryofmanyoftoday’swomen CEOs.

BeingChameleon-in-Chief AsafounderoftheAustraliancompanyWeTeachMe,I can’tsayIagreewithMark.Afterall,today’sworldand businessclimatelooknothingliketheydid20or30years ago.Ihopethatmyownstorywillinspirecourageandpave thewayforotherstocreatebusinessesthatwillcreate value,especiallyforotherwomen.

BeforefoundingWeTeachMe,Ihadbarelyjustarrivedin AustraliafromGreece,tocompletemymastersinglobal mediacommunicationsatTheUniversityofMelbourne.I hadnobackgroundinbusiness,andsomemaysayIhadno “business”enteringintothearenaofentrepreneurship.And yet,throughsheergritanddesiretopursueourpassionfor education,myteamandIgrewWeTeachMeintothelargest schoolinAustralia,withthousandsofclassesavailableand evenmorelearnersenrollingeveryday.

Hasmyjourneyalwaysbeeneasy?Farfromit.Alotis expectedfromanexpatlikeme.Orfromanywomanin business,forthatmatter.Ifwewanttogetpromotedat work,weneedtoappearassertive,confident,andeven dominant. Webecomechameleonsandadjustour behaviour,accordingtowhatthesituationrequires,aswe navigateourwayfromthewarroomtotheboardroom.

HowtoBeanAssertiveLeader

Below,IsharesomelessonsI’velearnedalongtheway,to helpotheryoungwomennavigatethedifferentchallenges anddemandsthataleadershiprolerequires.Tobemore confidentanddecisivebutalsoconstructiveand empowering,incorporatethesefivehabitsintoyourdaily conversationsandinteractions,andlearnhowtofine-tune yourabilitytoadapt.

Listenforcues.Tobeagoodleader,attimes,youwill needtobeapsychologist,acounsellor,anexpert,asister,a mentor,afriend.AtWeTeachMe,Ihaveworkedinsales andinmarketing.Bothrolesrequiredmetomastertheart ofactivelisteningandhonemyabilitytoquicklyreadthe room.Tobeawareofwhatacustomerorstakeholderis thinkingorfeelingiscrucialtobuildingtrustandrapport, andhelpsfosterthecreationoflong-termbusiness relationships.

Mindwhatyousay,andalsohowyousayit. Assertivenessdoesn’tmeanbeingoverbearingorabrasive. Bedirectandcommunicaterespectfullysothattheother personcanfocusonwhatyou’resaying,insteadofhow you’resayingit.Gettingthemessageacrossishalfthe battle.

To be passive is to let others decide for you. To be aggressive is to decide for others. To be assertive is to decide for yourself. And to trust that there is enough, that you are enough.

- Edith Eva Eger

Expressideasfromyourownpointofview. Startingyoursentenceswith“I”canspella worldofdifference.Insteadofsaying“you’re notlistening”,putitinyourownwords:“I thinkwhatyou’resayingis...”Ratherthan instructingsomeoneto“workthisway”say “I’dlikeyourhelpwith...”Conveyyour feelingsandletyourempathycomethrough.

Learnhowtosayno.Intheearlyyearsof WeTeachMe,Iworemultiplehats.Most days,Itookonmoreresponsibilitythanwas physicallypossible.Becausethat’swhata founderdoes;yougoaboveandbeyondthe callofduty.Fromcoldcallingoneminuteto providingcustomersupportthenext,juggling tasksrequiresflawlessexecution.As WeTeachMegrew,Ihadtogiveupsomeof myhats.Thiswasnotaneasylessontolearn! Today,withabetterunderstandingofthe valueoffocus,Ipickthreeimportantthings toaccomplisheverydayandthen,delegate therest.

Maintainaprofessionaldemeanour.If you’reenteringintoanegotiation,present yourcasewithconfidence,withoutgetting argumentativeoremotional.Createawinwinsituationforeveryone,andtheywillsee you,notasanadversary,butasapartner.

LeadershipThatInspires

Beinginbusinessisnotalwaysaboutcutthroatcompetition,winningateverything, andhavingitall;it’salso,ifnotmore,about creatingpersonalconnectionsandnurturing therelationshipsthatgetustowhereweare. Inandoutoftheworkplace,weneedtobe effectiveanddiplomatic,notjustgoaloriented.Leadthroughtrustandrespect,not throughfear.Teach,don’tmicromanage.And neverstoplearning.

Leadershipisabouthavingtheabilityto influencethosearoundus,torallyeveryone aroundasharedvision,toinspirepeople,and togetthosewhofollowusexcitedtocometo workdayafterday.

Leadershipmeanscelebratingourvictories. Butit’salsoaboutforgivingourselvesforour failures,becausethatishowwebecome wiserandbetter.Failingisthebestwayto learn,andagoodleaderneverstopslearning.

Photographer: Nathalie Saruhashi

Entrepreneurs of 2019

Doron J. Fetman

Bridging the Gap between Design, Technology and Marketing

InaninterviewwithInsights Success,theCEOandFounder of , EffCreativeGroup,LLC DoronJ.Fetmanshedslightonthe company'scutting-edgestrategies thathelpcreateandmarketthemost innovativedigitalandconsumer products.Doronshareshisinsights aboutthecompany'score competenciesanditsfutureandalso broadlydiscusseshisoveralljourney asanentrepreneur.Consideringthese influentialandinspirationalaspects, InsightsSuccessrecognizes asDoron oneoftheMostInspiring Entrepreneursof2019.

Belowarehighlightsfromthe interviewconductedbetween Doron and Insights Success:

Giveabriefoverviewofyour backgroundandyourroleinEff CreativeGroup.

IgraduatedfromSySymsSchoolof BusinesswithaFinanceand Marketingdegreein1998,andthatis whereIbeganmyjourneyasan entrepreneur.Myfirstexperience cameasadaytraderinthelate90's whiletakingmyfamily'srestaurant andcateringbusinesstogreater heights.Theentrepreneurinme neededtoinnovateandexpand withintheindustry.In2003Icofoundedabrandofwidelysuccessful Kosherfoodconcessionstands acrossthecountry'slargestsports

stadiumsandconcertvenueswhich previouslyneverservedanyKosher orHalalfood.Mysuccessfulexitled tomynextendeavor.In2006Icofoundedacompany,whichutilizeda widelyusedNASAlicensed technologytoofferavending machinethatallowedfrozenfoodto beheatedupinunder60seconds fromavendingmachine.Thiswas myfirstexperienceincreatinga patentedtechnologyandin successfullylaunchingitnationwide. IsoonrealizedthatIhadaskillin successfullybringingproductsto market.Mynaturalnextstepwasto challengemyselftoinnovateand launchnewproductsinother industriesaswell.Ibegantraveling abroadtofindinspirationand opportunityformynextventures. WithinHongKong,MainlandChina, andAustralia,Iwasquicklyableto identifyandsourceinnovative producttrendsbeforeanyoneelsefor distributionintoNorthAmerican markets.Anapproachofspotting foreigninnovativeopportunitybased onregionalreceptivenessbecamethe successofseveralinternational franchisesthatIhadtheprivilegeto workwithdirectly.After3yearsof handsonsuccess,Istartedbeing askedthesamequestionoverand over,"canyouhelpmebringmy producttomarket?"Toanswerthis questionIbuiltinfrastructureand launchedaservicebusinesstohelp clientsbringtheirproductstomarket.

In2013,IfoundedEffCreative Group-todayaninternationally renownedandaward-winning verticallyintegratedcreativeagency. WithheadquartersinTimesSquare, NewYorkEffprovidesamultitudeof servicestoclientsbothinthedigital andconsumerproductspace specializinginFintech,Fashion, Health&Wellness,Food& BeverageandCelebrityindustries. By2017,EffCreativeGroupsaw exponentialgrowth,ranking#403on theprestigiousInc.5000listof America'sFastestGrowing Companiesfollowedbyasecond yearonthelistat#406in2018.As CEOofthecompany,Iliketocall myrole"ChiefEducationOfficer" becauseIamafirmbelieverthata leadercanonlybeasstrongashis well-educatedteamofimplementers.

Howdoyoudiversifyyour solutionsthatappealtoyourtarget audience?

Asanentrepreneur,whetheryou're workingonaprojectofyourownor aclient's,youneedtobeabletooffer anintegratedsolutionthatcan succeednomattertheindustryor vertical.Overtheyears,Ihave successfullylauncheddifferent productsinvariedindustrieswiththe samego-to-marketfocus.Ihave alwaysbelievedinavertically integratedapproach,whereyouare

Doron J. Fetman CEO and Founder Eff Creative Group

hands-onfromtheconceptionofaproducttothedesign, development,marketing,andsales,therebyensuring consistencyandefficiency.I alreadyknowhowtosell andmarkettheproductbeforeweevendevelopit.No matterthetargetaudience,thisphilosophyalongside developinginnovativeandcreativemarketingtacticshas ledtooptimalsuccess.

Describesomeofthevitalattributesthatevery entrepreneurshouldpossess.

Asidefromtheobvious,everyentrepreneurmustpossess theabilitytodelegateandtrusttheirteam.Nooneperson iscapableofdoingeverythingalone.

Whatwerethepastexperiences,achievementsor lessonsthatshapedyourjourney?

Growingupasasonofimmigrantsandwatchingmy parentswhowerebothhardworkingentrepreneursgave metheworkethicthatIhavetoday.Asanavidathlete growingup,mycompetitivenatureandtheabilitytorely onteamworkhavetranslatedintomebeingthetrusted andpassionateleaderthatIamtoday.

Whatweresomeoftheprimalchallengesand roadblocksthatyoufacedduringtheinitialphaseof yourjourney?

OneofthefirstchallengesthatIfacedwhenIstartedmy firstbusinessstraightoutofcollegewasthatbeing young,peopledidn'ttakemeseriously.Ihadtospend moretimeearningpeople'strustandrespect.Another importantlessonIlearnedalongthewaywastonot chooseopportunisticpartners.Focusonfindingpartners thataddvalueandhavethesameworkethicandvision.

WheredoesEffCreativeGroupseeitselfinthenear futureandhowwillyoucatalyzethechange?

EffCreativeGroupiswellonitswaytoglobal expansion.Eff'ssistercompanyinSingaporejust celebrated2AsiaPacificAwardsforbringingEff'sglobal creativeinnovationtotheSoutheastAsianregion.We continuetolookfornewopportunitiesinotherpartsof theworldsowecanexpandintocountrieslikethe MiddleEastandEurope.

Whatisyouradvicefortheemergingentrepreneurs?

Don'tbegreedy.It'simportanttoremember"A small piece of a big pie is better than a big piece of a small pie."Thesearewordstolivebyforanyentrepreneur.

“

Be patient, nurture young minds, learn from everyone, surround yourself with great people and most importantly, always have fun!”

Successful Personality Traits to Learn from Elon Musk

Legendsneverneedanintroduction.Theytendtobe victoriousdespiteoftheiruneventfulhistories.They sticktocaptivatingtraitssuchasDiscipline, determinationandself-beliefwhichhelpthemaccomplish wondersinthelongrun.OnesuchexampleofanextraordinarypersonisElonMusk,aSouthAfricanBusiness Magnate,Investorandanengineer.

Muskisthefounder,CEO,andchiefarchitectofSpaceX; co-founder,CEO,andproductdesignerofTeslaInc.;and co-founderandCEOofNeuralink.AsofFebruary2018,he isthe53rd-richestpersonintheworldandhasanetworth of$20.8billion,whichisfarmorethanthenetGDPof Greecetakenintoconsideration.

Whileeachentrepreneurpossessesauniquesetoftraitsthat makeshim/hersuccessful,thisTechfounderhasafewtraits muchdifferentfromanyotherordinaryCEO,whichhas allowedhimtobuildsomeoftheworld’smostrespected andinnovativeorganizations.Muskoncequoted,“When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”

Let’shavealookonthesepersonalityattributesand characteristicsthatmakehimacontenderforthemost innovativeintellectualentrepreneurofthecenturyalive.

Hard-workandCharacteristicWorkEthics

ElonMuskisahard-workinginnovator,workingforabout 100hoursaweek,andhasbeenproductivesincemany years.Hemayevenbeconsideredasthehardestworking

employeeofthecompany,settingstandardsforhis colleaguestofollowandimplement.Sincethefieldofwork liesinsidehisradiusofinterests,heenjoysittoevery momentandbitwhenitcomestolearningandexecution.

StrongRiskTolerance

Foundingastart-upinvolvesagreatdealofuncertaintyand risk.Astudyfoundthatafter10yearsofbeinginbusiness, 96percentofthestart-upsfail.Goingbythestatistics, Muskmusthavefacedthesameoddsagainsthim,whenhe haddecidedtoleaveanotherwisecomfortablelifetostarta riskyanduncertainbusinessventure.

Forinstance,MusklefthisPhDprogramatStanford UniversitytofindacompanycalledZip2withhisbrotherin theyear1995.Later,thecompanywassoldtoCompaq computers,profitingMuskabitover$20million.

Followingthis,Muskonceagaintookagreatriskby investingmillionsofdollarstofoundacompanycalled X.com,oneoftheworld’sfirstonlinebanks.

‘AlwaysBeLearning’Attitude

Anastoundingandless-knownfactaboutElonMuskis thatheisself-taughtinprogrammingandinmany advancedlevelsubjects.Hereadandunderstooda varietyofbooks,whichhelpedhimgainendlessand persistentknowledgeandunderstanddiverseconcepts.

Thebestpieceofadviceonlearningandimplementation istoconstantlythinkabouthowthingscouldbedonein abettermannerandquestionselftoseektheanswers.

FeedbackLoop

Itisofprimeimportancetorecognizethepresent symbolorotherwise‘statusquo’inthemarketasan organizationandre-positionaccordingly.Musksolicits constantfeedbackofthecompaniesandexecutes‘selfanalysis.’ Heinduceseffortsanddivergentstrategiesto improvecustomerfeedbacksandstrivestowards perfectionism.

Forexample,heseeksouthiscriticsandtriestoconverse withthem.Thishabitofself-reflectionatregularand considerableperiodsispivotalforanyentrepreneuror organizationtosucceedinthelongrun.

TendencyforVerticalIntegration

Verticalintegrationisastrategywhereanorganizationora firmacquiresbusinessoperationswithinthesameproduct vertical.BothTeslaandSpaceXembracethisconcept.For example,Teslanotonlyproduceselectriccars;theyalso generatepublicawarenessabouttheircarsviaTesla showroomsacrossvariouscountries.AndSpaceXdoesnot onlyhavetheprimarygoalofrocketpropulsions;they developtheirownrocketarchitectureaswell.

FaithinSelfandtheFoundingTeam

Muskundoubtedlypossessesaprofoundbeliefinhisown capabilitiesaswellasthepotential-seekingfactorofits foundingteam.Hedoesnothesitatetogambleonlarge scaleunlessheisgenuinelyawareoftheexpectedendresults.

Itisequallyessentialtomaintainclarityofdoubtinany largescaleorganization.Underhissupervision,Musk encouragesincreatingapositiveandcomprehensive environmentacrosshisfirms.

PreferringtoStandOutFromtheCrowd

Muskelectstobringupinnovationateverylevelofhis understanding.Hetendstoimparttheoreticalknowledgeat thebaselevel,applyingchangesandexecutingthesameon thepracticallevel.Hereliesmoreontransitionalaspects suchasresearchanddevelopment,therebyincreasingthe probabilityofground-breakinginventions.

TeslaMotors,afarheadedfirmheadedbyElonMusk,is anti-ordinary.Itscompellingmarketplacehasbecomea one-stopdestinationforpotentialbuyerswheretheycan interactaboutproductspecifications.Theyalsohavevideo testimonialsthatfaroutperforminthesales-dominated industry.

ThereisnoambiguitythatMusk,byfar,hasbeenapillarof inspirationforbuddingentrepreneursandinvestorsbecause ofhisprolificandoptimisticapproachtowardslife

AllthesetraitspossessedbyMusk,insomemannerorthe other,coincidewithmostofyourhabits.Theonlythingthat standsasapotentialbarrierbetweenthesetwois identifyingyourstrengthsandworkingonthemona continualbasis.Goon,applythesetraitsintoyourdaily life,andyoumaybecomethenextbigCEOtheworldisin needoftoday!

Entrepreneurs

Josh Turner

GROWTH THROUGH FOCUS & PERSEVERANCE

JoshTurner,WallStreetJournal

bestsellingauthor,Founderand CEOofLinkedSelling,has facedhisshareoftrialanderrortoget wherewefindhimtoday.Hestarted LinkedSellingafternoticinga troublingpatterninthebusinesseshe workedwith:Cashflowsufferedfrom noreliablewaytogetqualityleadsand clientsandtheyeventuallygiveup.

ThisledJoshtodevelopasystemthat stillgeneratesleadsforhisclients todayandhasturnedLinkedSelling intotheworld’sforemostB2B marketingandleadgeneration company.Thecompanyhasgrownto 50+employees,namedbothathreetimeINC5000companyand Entrepreneur360company,andhelped thousandsofbusinessowners.

HowLinkedSellinghelpsbusiness ownersfindconsistentcashflow: LinkedSellinghelpsbusinesses simplifytheirmarketingandget qualifiedleadsandclientsconsistently, usingavarietyofonlinetools& systems(bothorganic&paid)to...

Ÿ Keeptheirclients’brandsand messagesinfrontofhighlytargeted prospects.

Ÿ Buildvaluabledatabasesof prospectsthroughdone-for-you services,done-with-youprograms, anddo-it-yourselfcoursesandtools thatprovidesolutionsforevery budget.

Ÿ Createandexecutecustomizeddrip marketingsystemsthrough

LinkedIn&emailtomaintain awarenesswithpotentialclients.

Ÿ Design,buildandgrowhighlytargeted,brandedonline communities.

Ÿ Buildtrustandsincererelationships withhigh-valuetargetsthrough provenpsychologicaltriggers.

HowJoshlearnedthelessonthatled tohissuccess:

Asateenager,Joshlearnedthe importanceofareliableandconsistent waytogetleads... “My dad ran a remodeling business that reached 7figures and things were going really well. My plan was to work with him and grow the business but one day, he took me aside and explained to me that the business was having trouble getting new clients and we had to close the doors.”

Later,asaCFOforaconstruction businessthatwentfromlow7-figures to$24mminannualrevenue,Josh watchedastheyclosedtheirdoors whentherecessionhitinthelate 2000s... “I saw so many people lose their jobs... after that I went out on my own as an outsourced CFO, and decided that I wouldn’t let it happen to me.”

SoJoshdevelopedareliablesystemto growhisbusinessandkeepasteady cashflow,whichhisCFOclients quicklytookinterestin.Leadingto LinkedSelling’smission,providea simplesystemtogenerateleads,based onbuildingtrustandrelationshipswith strategicprospects.

Whatdoeseveryentrepreneurneed?

“While everyone has different talents and objectives, the underlying quality you need to have as an entrepreneur is perseverance. It’s hard and there are a lot of challenges, but you can’t give up. You need to be able to adapt, you need to be able to pick yourself up by the bootstraps, you need to learn how to figure things out, and you need to be able to persevere. Because you are going to fail, we fail all of the time. We’ve got a graveyard of products, services, and strategies that we’ve tried and failed with. But the key is to put you out there and to take action and constantly be moving forward. If you do… it’s just a matter of time until you strike gold.”

Howhavechallengesmadeyou better?

“Building a business is never easy .. I started on my own and it was meager. I had a terrible website and some terrible business cards, but I was in the game. My first year was hard. I worked in my dingy unfinished basement, next to the spider crickets jumping around my desk. At times I felt like an imposter, and kept thinking, ‘who was I to think I could run a business?’I felt the ups and downs of what I call the ‘cash flow roller coaster,’where sometimes you have clients and things are great and other times you don’t have money coming in.

I learned you have to find a way to cut through the noise so you can focus on the things that will make the biggest impact. For me, it was focusing on

sales appointments and how to get more of them. It took me a while to get to that point though. I was trying all the stuff people say you should do. Networking events, coffees, lunches, blogging, social media…you name it. But it just wasn’t moving the needle. In many ways, I was making it up as I went along. Trial and error was the name of the game. At the time, this was painful. But now I see it as a blessing because I can help our clients skip over that learning curve.

One of the things that really helped me was educating myself and getting help. Over the years I’ve invested over $1.2 million in consultants, advertising, testing, and people. Some of it worked. Some of it didn’t. There were times when it was scary, and I wasn’t exactly sure if it would all end up working out, but you just have to keep pushing on.”

Howareyouraisingyourstandard ofservices?

“The main goal at this point is to realize LinkedSelling’s untapped potential. The organization is at a great place now, but it has been growing at a really fast rate and the team wants to continue to broaden the audience and serve more people. Our focus will be to double down on optimizing company’s marketing and sales so that it can happen. That means creating products and services that are broad enough to reach and serve a growing audience, understanding and optimizing the lifetime value of clients, and playing the long game with aggressive marketing.”

Youradviceforemerging entrepreneurs?

“Don’t get frustrated. Too many people think they’ve got to have a brilliant idea so they never do anything. My advice is to just get in the game and one thing will lead to another. Taking action, even if you don’t know the end result is often the only way to figure things out.”

Turner Founder & CEO LinkedSelling

Josh

“

We aim to be the world leader when it comes to generating leads, booking sales appointments, and promoting business growth.

Ms. Nin Desai President & CEO NIN.VC

inthe

VentureWorld

Asof2017,6%oftheventurecapitalistswere womenandonly2.7%womenownedbusinesses receivedventurecapitalfunding.BeingaVCin thisstartupeconomy,where90%ofstartupsfail,isatough job.However,ithasnotingtodowithgender.

“Hi.IamNinDesai.Iheadacrowdfundedtechnology venturecapitalfirm,NINVentures(orNIN.VC).Weinvest inSeriesA&Broundsofdisruptivetechnology companies.”

Whiletherearenumberoffactorsresponsibleforsuccessin theventurecapitalindustryincludingtimingandluck,top ofthatlistisadisruptivetechnology.Adisruptive technologyisaninnovationthatchangesthewayan existingindustryfunctionsandalsohelpscreateanew marketandvaluenetwork,displacinganearliertechnology orawayofdoingbusiness.

E.g.3Dprintinghasbeenusedforrapidprototypingandis beingappliedinanumberofindustriestoday,including

Stellar’s Vision

manufacturing,automotive,consumer,aerospace,defense, andespeciallyhealthcare.Astheaccuracyandmaterials markethaveimproved,themedicalspaceshowsgreat potentialforthistechnology.Thereareabout114,000 peoplecurrentlyontheorganrecipientlistinUnitedStates; andonly34,770transplantswereperformedin2017.Every 10minutesanewpersonisaddedtothewaitinglistand20 peopledieeverydaybecausetheycannotfindarightorgan. Whatif3Dprintingtissuescanhelpsavesomeofthose lives?

Everysectoratsomepointisupfordisruption.E.g.Ad Tech.Overtimeasconsumerbehaviorpatternschanged, DigitalhasnowreplacedTraditionalTelevision.Peopleare nowspendingmoretimeontheirpersonaldeviceslike phone,tablets,&PCs.AnaverageAmericanspendsabout3 hourseverydayontheirpersonaldevices,andthisisthe firsttime,thetimespendonpersonaldeviceshave surpassedtimespentwatchingTelevision,whichisabig changeandopportunityfortheAdTechIndustry.

th E.g.4 IndustrialRevolution.Westandonthebrinkofa technologicalrevolutionthatwillfundamentallyalterthe waywelive,work,andrelatetooneanother.Initsscale, scope,andcomplexity,thetransformationwillbeunlike anythinghumankindhasexperiencedbefore.TheFirst IndustrialRevolutionusedwaterandsteampowerto mechanizeproduction.TheSecondusedelectricpowerto createmassproduction.TheThirdusedelectronicsand informationtechnologytoautomateproduction.Nowa FourthIndustrialRevolutionisbuildingontheThird,the digitalrevolutionthathasbeenoccurringsincethemiddle ofthelastcentury.Itischaracterizedbyafusionof technologiesthatisblurringthelinesbetweenthe3D,4D, digital,othersmartandbiologicalspheres.

However,greatideasandtechnologyneedstobebackedby asolidrevenuemodelinordertoattractcustomersaswell asattainprofitabilityforthecompanytobeanattractive investmentopportunityforaVC.E.g.ournewinitiative, TotalCapitalism.Astartupneedsanecosystemtothrive upon,thusitisveryimportantforacompanytounderstand themarketdynamics,itsimpactontheirindustry,product, andalsohaveagoodunderstandingofthecompetitive landscapeinordertoachievelongtermsuccess.A disruptivetechnologyneedstoscaleandathroughanalysis helpsgagethoseriskandrewards.

ACEOisthecaptainoftheship;andatNIN.VCwestart withanentrepreneurbecauseentrepreneursbuild companiesandnottheotherwayaround.Someofthe qualitiesVCslookforinanentrepreneurareabilityto dreambigwithideasthatscale,certainpersonalitytraits andworkethicslikebeingfocused,disciplined,andhard working.It’simportanttohaveindustryexpertiseand knowledgeorsurroundyourselfwithpeoplethat

About the Author

Ms. Nin Desai, the President and CEO of NIN.VC, is an experienced fund manager and a technology geek. Her sweet spot is investing in disruptive technologies. Ms. Desai has been awarded 2015 CEO Of The Year – Illinois, for innovation and contribution to the Venture Capital & Private Equity industry by Acquisition International magazine and Private Equity Fund Manager to Watch for 2017 by Corporate America. She has been featured in VentureBeat, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Forbes, Inc, WGN’s After Hours with Rick Kogan, NBC Weekend Web with Charlie Wojciechowski, Bloomberg’s Taking Stock, Crowdfund Insider, and CIO Review to name a few.

Ms. Desai’s experience spans all facets of mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance including public offerings and private placements. She is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and has a technical diploma in E-commerce by IBM, holds Series 7 and 63 licenses from NASD, and is a B.B.A and M.B.A in Finance/International Business from Loyola University of Chicago. She recently attended a leadership program in Private Equity and Venture Capital at Harvard Business School.

compliment.However,flexibilityandchoicesan entrepreneur/theteammakesdeterminesthefutureofthe company.Anamazingentrepreneurwithadisruptive technology,asolidrevenuemodel,andgoodunderstanding ofthecompetitivelandscapegoestovain,ifthecompany doesnotcommunicateeffectivelyorhasagoodexecution strategy.

VentureCapitalistsareknowntoinvestinunicornsthat provetobehomerunfortheirLPsandwhilethereisno secretrecipeforsuccess,hopethishelpsinunderstanding theartandsciencebehindeachofthatinvestment.

MAJED AMER

A Proficient Leader with Adequate Industry Experience

Startingabusinessisthebiggestadventureinan

entrepreneur’slife.Ittakescollaborationoftime,passion, financeandeffortstomakeabusinesssuccessful.Majed Amer,CEO,andCo-founderatCloudivizeTechnologies sharingkeynotesonentrepreneurshipandbusinesssuccess,has morethantwentyyearsofexperienceatenterprisesoftware companiesandproductdelivery.Majedhasfilledacoupleof positionsincludingTechnologyStrategistandDevelopment ManagerandleadsCloudivizetechnology,businessvision,and operation.Hisresumecoversenterpriseproductsheledfrom thePOCphasetoenterpriseusageathugeinternational industrialorganizations.

SolutionAccordingtoDemand CloudivizeisessentiallyauniquevisualCloudOperating Systemwhichisenablingtheevolutionofcloudplatformsfrom “DOSera”into“VisualOperatingSystemarea”usingadvanced visualuserexperience.AtCloudivizetheteambelievesin makingthecloudplatformaccessibletomoreaudiences,not leavingitinhandsofaquitesmallgroupofexperts.The companywantstoexpropriatethismandatefromthissmall groupandlet-inmoreaudienceintothisdomain.Itbelieves, thiswaysoftwarecompaniescandeliverbetterproductandcan becomemoreefficientorganizations.

Majed Amer CEO & Co-founder

I am envisioning Cloudivize as the standard tool for the public cloud, with a strong, global and stable company. Behind it, we see satisfied customers, strong ecosystem, and hundreds of satisfied employees.

AtCloudivize,accessibilitycomeswithintuitiveuser experience,productiveusage,andoptimizedsetoftoolsfor eachoneofthedifferenttypesofsystemaudience.Itssolutions aimstounifythebasisforCloudplatforms,thustoimprovethe communicationandcollaborationbetweenthedifferent audiences.Andontopofthat,thesesolutionsbasedtoprovide differenttoolsandinformationlayersforeachtypeofusersto matchtheirneeds.

AccordingtoMajed,“WhenSolutionArchitectsaremore interestedinarchitecturaldiagramsanddeploymenttopologies thenDevOpsaremoreinterestedinactualdeploymentsand assetsallocation.Fromtheotherhand,leadersandmanagers aremoreinterestedatstatus,monitoringand(aboveall)costof theirdeployedsystems.Thenlatercomethesystemoperation, wherethistypeofaudienceismoreinterestedatsystem maintenanceandsystemhealth.”Eachoneoftheabove audiences(participantsattheworkflow)needsdifferentlevelof information,withoutbreakingthecommontermsusedwhen

The 30

Inspiring Entrepreneurs of 2019

communicatingwithothersatthesameorganization.And thisiswhatCloudivizeallabout!

QualitiesandSkillsareEssential

AccordingtoMajed,beforeonepreparesforfirststepsat hisentrepreneurshipjourney,“heshouldburryhisego”.He believes,“An entrepreneur should listen to all those even if it is unbearable sometimes and other times he could be insulted. So, an entrepreneur with big ego will never listen, then will not learn, then will lose critical relationship and this is a direct path to failure.”

Itisclearthatanentrepreneurwithoutthedriveand motivationwillconsumeenergyquitefast.Withdrive,one nevergivesupbutchangescourseandadapts,andthen excitingthingshappen.Afterthechange,onehasmore energyandmoredrive.Majedbelieves,anentrepreneur neverseestheresultofhisactionsinrealtime,ashedoes things,startsprocessesandactivities,buttheresultcould comeweeksormonthslater.Ifonedoesn’thavethe patience,hecouldgiveuptoofast.Sometimesitis frustrating(especiallyforentrepreneurwhoalwayswant quickresults),butfromhisexperience,bepatient!Justwith onecriticalalert,don’tlosetrack,beingpatientdoesnot meaninglosingcontinuityorworkinginchaoticmode.

CopingwithBigPartners

AccordingtoMajedtailoringthesolutiontofulfillusers’ needandexpectationwasachievedwithhardandlong process.SinceCloudivizewasbringinguniqueconcepts,it wasverydifficulttopasstheideawithpartialsolutionsand expectingtheuserstocompletetherestwithcommon sense.TheAgileMVP(MinimalViableProduct)concept couldleadtomiss-interpretations(mainlyfromthe technicalteam)bydeliveringincompleteconcepts.Along thejourney,theteamlearnedthatanynewfeatureoffered shouldbealmost100%complete,withoutholes,andtobe abletogetgoodqualityuserfeedback.

Majedlearnedthateverypartnershiphedidturnedtobe fruitful;evenittooktimetoseetheresult,buteventuallyit foundthevalue.ThecompanyisapartofAPN(Amazon PartnersNetwork)whichwasaquitedooropener.Thereare somanythingsthatneededattentiontomakethebusiness operationsmoother.Intherunofasuccessfulbusinessnone ofthefollowing:legal,marketing,sales,PRandcustomer relationshipscanbeignoredorgetlessattention.

AttainingCustomerwithTrust

Therearemanychallengesinflexiblebusinessoperation andbuildingtrustwithcustomersisoneofthem. Cloudivizeprovidesamanagementcapabilityforthe customercloud.Fordoingthatcustomersneedtograntits accessandconnectionpermissiontotheiraccount,forthat customerneedsfullconfidencewiththesolutionandwith thecompany.Thecompanyprovidesfulllistofmeasures

andcommitmentsforcustomertobuildthattrust.Sideby side,itprovidesspecialattentiontocustomerswhoneed attention.

ExtendingSteadily CloudivizeTechnologies’visionistobecomethepublic cloudmanagementandoperationstandardvisualoperation systemandforthatitisactingonmultiplefronts.The companyisenrichingthesolutionwithmoreadvanced services,andoptimizationtools.Theteamisworkingto establishmorepartnershipsandextendtheecosystemand thecustomerbasebyofferingmorefreeservices.Gradually extendthecompany’sofferingtonewcountriesand regions.Lately,thecompanystartedafundraisingroundto boostitsoperationandabilitytomaintainconstantgrowth onalltheaboveactivities.

PresentistheBestTime

Thewell-knownadviceis“Justdoit”.Majedsays,"Justdo it,anddoallinparallelandnow”.Hedoesn’tbelievein waitingordelayingandrecommendingtobudding entrepreneurstostartallpossibleactivitieswhicharein theirmindimmediately.Onecanneverknowwhichidea wouldmaterializeintoanactualimpactonthebusiness. Further,hesays,talktoeveryone,startallprocesses, engagewithwhomwillingtoengage,requestmeeting whichwhomwillingtomeet,joinconferences,join partnerships,etc.

Majedfirmlybelievesthatentrepreneurwillalwaysfindthe way.So,startnumberofactivities,andwhenoneofthe activitiesmaterializesintoactions,onewillfindthewayto executeanddeliver.

Entrepreneurship

Going Beyond the Comfort of Safety to Make Larger Impact

Entrepreneurshipistheprocess ofstartinganewbusinessthat addssomevaluetotheworld bysolvingsomespecificproblems. Entrepreneurshipisthecapacityand willingnesstodevelop,organizeand manageabusinessventurealongwith anyofitsrisksinordertomakea profit.Entrepreneurshipcombinedwith land,labor,naturalresourcesand capitalcanmakeaprofit.Thosewho createthesebusinessesarecalled entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurialspiritis characterizedbyinnovationandrisk takingandisanessentialpartofa nation’sabilitytosucceedinconstantly changingandincreasinglycompetitive globalmarketplace.

Entrepreneurshipinitstruestformis allaboutidentifyingagapinthe marketandcreatingaproductwhich canfillthathole.Entrepreneurshipis notsolelyaboutmakingmoney-itis alsoaboutchangingandenrichingthe livesforbetter.Itisaboutimproving people’slivesthroughcreationof productsorlaunchingservicesthat makesthelivesofpeopleeasy.Ifone’s businessdoesnotaddvaluetothelives ofpeoplethenitisunlikelytosurvive. Thebusinessthatmakesnothingbut moneycaneasilybeconsideredasa poorbusiness.

Entrepreneurshipistheactofbeingan entrepreneur.Entrepreneursactas managersandoverseethelaunchand growthofanenterprise.Itisaprocess bywhicheitheranindividualorateam identifiesabusinessopportunityand

acquiresanddeploysthenecessary toolsandresourcesrequiredforits utilization.

Entrepreneurshipisallaboutbeing readytogobeyondthecomfortzone.It isaboutdefiningsuccessonone’sown termsandachievingitbyone’sown processandmethodology.Itisalso aboutthinkingoutsidetheboxor thinkinglikethereisnobox.True entrepreneurialspiritisaboutseeing challengesasopportunities. Entrepreneursshouldbeabletoshake offdepression,lazinessandshould jumpintotheflowingstreamofhard workinordertoachievetheirdream. TrueEntrepreneursunderstandthat theycan’tbegreatateverythingthey do,buttheyknowthattheycanbe greatatsomething.Theyfocusonthat particularsomethinginwhichtheyare goodatwithlaserlikefocusandthey arepassionatetodeliverthebest solutionsintheirchosenwork.

Entrepreneurscreatesomethingnew, somethingdifferentthatsolvessome problemsoraddsvaluetotheworld. Anentrepreneurisapersonwhois willingandabletoconvertanewidea orinventionintoasuccessful innovation.Entrepreneurialjourneyis notalwayssoeasy.AsElonMusk Quotes“Being an entrepreneur is like eating glass and staring into the abyss of death.”Manypeopleexperience entrepreneurialjourneyasa rollercoasterridefiledwithchallenges andopportunities;upsanddowns.

Entrepreneurshipisaboutperseverance

throughallsuchupsanddowns.The journeymaybefilledwithcrestand troughsbutthejourneyisworthtaking.

Entrepreneursunderstandthat seductionofsafetyismuchmore dangerousthantheperceptionofthe risk.Thereforetheytakecalculated risksbasedonmarkettrendsand marketestimation.Wherecommon peopleseetheproblemsentrepreneurs seetheopportunities.Entrepreneurs aredriventocreatesolutionstothose problems.Entrepreneursarenotthe partofproblemsbutentrepreneursare peoplewhowanttobepartofthe solutiontothoseproblems. Entrepreneursareinnatelyprogramme tocreatesolutionstotheexisting problems.

Entrepreneursrolluptheirsleeves everydayandworkhardtocreate solutionstotheexistingproblemsin theworldinordertomakeprofitas wellastoenrichthelivesofpeople. Theyareinthegametomakea differenceandimpactinthelivesof peoplethroughofferingsolutionsto someofthebiggestproblems.Money issecondarytothembutmaking valuablecontributionandaddingvalue totheworldiswhattheyfocuson. Theyunderstandthatmoneyisjusta byproductofservingasmanypeople aspossiblewithfullefficiency.

Entrepreneursplantheirworkand worktheirplan.Successful entrepreneurshiprequires entrepreneurswhotakeconscious, systematic,logicalandthoughtful decisions.Itisaboutthinking deliberatelyandactingonthe conclusionoflogicalthoughtprocess. Greatentrepreneurshavetheabilityto thinkdecisivelyeveninindecisive environmentalso.Theirconscience andintuitionhelpsthemtocomeup withsomesolutionsthataddgloryto theirbusiness.Successful entrepreneursarealsoverycautiousof makinguseofthelatesttechnologyfor creatingmoreprofitablesolutions. Theyknowhowtoleverageeverything tocreategloriousbusinessthatadds valuetothelargerportionoftheworld.

Entrepreneursareheretomakea valuablecontributiontotheworld throughtheirwordsandworthy actions;theyjustdon’twanttooccupy thespaceintheuniverse. Entrepreneursbelieveinmakingworld abetterplacebycreatingsomething thatcustomizesthelivesofpeoplefor better.Greatentrepreneurswalktheir talkandtalktheirwalk.Theirlipsand livesbothmakedifferenceinthelives ofpeople.Theyknowthatworld rewardsthosewhopresson. Entrepreneurshipisaboutpayingthe priceofdedication,commitment,

sacrifices,hardworkandputtingheart andsoulintothebusinesstocreate somethingdifferentthatmakeslivesof peopleeasier.Thewordsandactionsof greatentrepreneursshowthatthey knowwheretheyaregoingandthe worldhasthehabitofmakingroomfor suchpeople.

Entrepreneurshipisaboutknowingthe way,goingthewayandshowingthe way.Entrepreneursleadbyexample. Theyusealltheresourcestheyhaveto makelargercontributiontotheworld. Theythinkofchangingtheworld throughtheirskills,abilities,talents andmakingoptimumutilizationofall theresourcestheyhave.Entrepreneurs buildastrongnetworkofpeoplein theirorganization.Thegreat entrepreneursunderstandthatone’s networkdeterminesone’snetworth. Thereforetheychoosesmartand pragmaticpeoplearoundthemthatare havingtheabilitytocomeupwith solutionstosomeofthetoughest problems.Theyareverycautiousof peopletheyassociatewith.

Entrepreneurshipisaboutbuilding bridgesofsuccessinsteadofcreating barrierstoopportunity.Itisabout havingtalentedpeopleon-boardto comeupwithgreatideaandto implementthatideatomakeatangible differenceinthelivesofpeople.

Skyler Ditchfield

Exemplifying Resilience and Dedication

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,SkylerDitchfield,theCEO andCo-founderofGeoLinks,shareskeyinsightsderivedfrom hisentrepreneurialjourney,anddiscusseshowhiscompanyhas effectivelydisruptedthebilliondollarindustryoftelecom.Insights SuccessrecognizesSkylerasoneofthemostinspiringentrepreneurs.

Giveabriefoverviewofyourbackgroundandyourrolein GeoLinks. My“entrepreneurialroots”beganattheageofsix,sellingfood,video games,lemonade,andbasicallyanythingelseIthoughtpeoplemight buy,goingdoor-to-door,oronthesideoftheroad.Idoveintothe worldoftechnologyattheageof13whenIsetupabulletinboard system(BBS)toservice200membersofmylocalcommunitywith dial-upInternet.

ThisentrepreneurialspiritfollowedmeintohighschoolwhereIbought laptopsoffofAOLclassifiedsandresoldtheminmylocalnewspaper classifiedsfora50%profit.

Fastforward,andItookmyfirstrealcorporatejobasNetwork EngineerIIatthePrivateNetworkManagementCenter(PNMC)of MCIWorldcominSiliconValleyservicinghigh-levelclientssuchasJP Morgan,GoldmanSachs,Quotron,Reuters,andmore.AlthoughIwas theyoungesttechnicianintheoffice,Iwasquicklypromotedto NetworkEngineerIIIafterexceedingtheentirestaffinrouter reprogramming.WhenthecompanyrelocatedtotheEastCoast,Iwas oneoftwoemployeesofferedatransfer.Ultimately,Ideclinedtheoffer andreturnedtomyhometownofOjai,CaliforniawhereIproceededto buildanetworkbusinessfromscratchwithonly$500instartup capital.Igrewthecompanytonearly$3Mwithinfouryears(ina townofonly8,000people)andthensoldmyshares. Followingthisventure,however,thingsplummeted.

Ditchfield CEO GeoLinks

Overthenextfewyears,Iexperiencedmultiple businessfailuresthatleftmefacingmassivedebtand ruinedcredit.Simultaneously,myhealthtooka severeturnfortheworse,placingmeinmultiple month-longstaysinthehospital.Thencamewhat Icallmyrestartbutton.IfoundoutIwasgoing tobeadad.

Withreplenishedmotivation,Ifoundawhole newleaseonlife.Iregainedmyhealth,and aggressivelygotbackintheI.T.space allowingmetoclimboutofdebt.

Fastforwardafewunsuccessful startupslater,andIco-founded

Skyler

CaliforniaInternet,nowGeoLinks,withmycousinRyan Hauf.Wearenowthefastestgrowingfixedwireless providerinthecountry,andthefifthfastestgrowingoverall telecom.

AstheactingCEOofan8-figurecompany,andgrowing significantly,Ifocusonfundraising,M&Awork,organic growthstrategies,andbigpictureinitiatives.

Howdoyoudiversifyyoursolutionsthatappealtoyour targetaudience?

WesellInternetsoourtargetaudienceisnearlyeveryone–businesses,anchorinstitutions,andruralconsumers.We reverseengineereverycircuittofitabusiness'specific needs.Fromdifferentspeedtiers,toVoIP,toSD-WAN,we offersolutionsforbusinessesofallsizes,acrossall categories.

Describesomeofthevitalattributesthatevery entrepreneurshouldpossess. Resilience.Beinganentrepreneurrequireshavingthe energytoworklonghours,puttingyourselfontheline,and acceptinglittletonopayforextendedperiodsoftime.You willfail15timesmorethanyouwillwin.Thatbeingsaid, nevertakenoforananswer;findanotherway.Neverget upsetaslosingyourcoolneverhelpsasituation.Always activelymonitoryourfinancesandcashflow(runningout ofcashisoneofthetopkillersforallbusinesses.)Finally, youhavetobeabletosell.Asanentrepreneurifyoucan't sellyourownproductitwillbenearimpossibletoget thingsofftheground.

Whatwerethepastexperiences,achievementsorlessons thatshapedyourjourney? Iwasanentrepreneurfromayoungage,aspreviously mentioned.Ialwayshadthedesiretosellandcreate.Isold onstreetcorners,doortodoor,inclassifiedads,at school–younameit.Ibuilta$3Mcomputernetworking repairandsalesbusinessinmysmallhometownofOjai (whichhasapopulationof8,000)attheageof19withonly $500ofpersonalstartupcapital.Fromthere,Ifailedin3 differentbusinessesformultiplereasons–badpartners, theft,andaninvestorwitha"risk-it-all"attitude.Everyone ofthemtaughtmesomethingdifferentbutsignificant.

Simultaneously,Iwasalsostrugglingbattlinganautoimmunedisease,Crohn's,whichconsistentlyknockeddown myhealth.Aftermultiplebloodtransfusions,andamajor overhaulsurgeryonmykidneys,bladder,andintestines,in 2007IwastoldIhadjustafewweekstolive.Unaccepting, IusedtheInternettodiscoveranewexperimentaltreatment thatultimatelysavedmylife.Nonetheless,Iexitedwithmy creditruined,allmymoneygone,andnotasingle possessionlefttomyname.Istruggledwithhowtostarta

businessagainbuteventuallyIfoundawaytobuildmyself backupwhilecontinuingtofocusonrepairingmyhealth. Peoplehavetoldmefor19yearsthattheyfeelsorryforme becauseofmyhealthissues.However,Iamgratefulforall Ihavebeenthroughbecausetheyhavetaughtme appreciation,strength,andresiliency.

WheredoesGeoLinksseeitselfinthenearfutureand howwillyoucatalyzethechange?

Icurrentlyhave3initiativesintheworksthathavethe abilitytoincreasethesizeofthebusiness550%inthenext 18months.Whileallmaynotcometofruition,Iam confidentatleast1or2will.IseeGeoLinksgrowingtoa $1b+enterprisevalueby2023.

Whatisyouradviceforemergingentrepreneurs? Iwouldanswersimilarlytomyoutlinedvitalattributes. Furthermore,plantomakeNOmoneyforatleastthree years.DONOTcountonapaycheck.Onceyoustart makingmoney,don'tpayyourselfallofit.Reinvestand keepyourlifestyleassimpleaspossible.I'veseenmany entrepreneursinyears4-5,whentheystartmakinggood money,takeitallhome.Theythenadjusttheirlifestyle accordingly,andultimatelyhavenoexcesscapitalto continuetogrowtheirbusiness–theybecomestuck.

Treat the customer how you would like to be treated; know in your mind your product is the best thing for them; and never quit.

Pam Bateson CEO & Co-founder Thrive Partners

What a tech CEO can teach your business about digital?

About the Author

Pam Bateson is an expert coach and mentor in business, training others to Masters level qualifications and supervising coaches. She has worked within the healthcare, retail, hotels, construction,media,agencies,education and public sector. She specialises in Coaching, Mentoring, Employee Engagement, Change Management, Learning and Development and Organisational Design. She has worked with all levels in organisations from graduates to the CEO. She has designed change programmes that connectprojects,outcomes,trainingand coaching. The performance outcomes have been outstanding. She is CEO and Co-founderat ThrivePartners.

PamBatesonsetupThrivePartners,

an on-demand coaching company, three years ago. In this article, she sharesherpointofviewonhowimportant humans are in a more digital world, what she’slearnedasatechCEO,andwhatthis meanswhenyou’relookingtousetechina way that’s both disruptive and works for customers. In October 2015, I gave up a successful career as a management consultant and coach to set up Thrive Partners. Lots of people thought I was crazy. I was approaching 50, with two children still at home. But for the decade running up to that decision, I’d been thinking about a better way to deliver coaching – supported by digital, to share morewidelythecoachingtoolsI’dusedto helpclientsformanyyears.

This was the business I set out to build threeyearsago.Today,we’reworkingwith 25 clients on five continents – delivering our own brand of on-demand coaching, backed with insights for the whole business. The learning curve has been steep – particularly for someone who, by theirownconfession,didn’thavealotof

experienceinlearningtechnology.Sohere,Iwantedtoshare someofthethingswe’velearned–andwhatitmightmeanfor yourbusiness.

Dreambig

I didn’t really set out to build a business that would be considereddisruptive,butmybackgroundasaleanengineer and coach did mean that we ripped up the rulebook when it cametothecoachingindustry.Wescrappedtheideathatyou needed to meet face to face, and that sessions had to last an hour,oreventwohours.Andwemadeitaloteasierforpeople toaccessacoachtoanswerthequestionstheyhadthereand then – increasing access so people could chat to an expert withinanhour.

Workingwithmyco-founder,wethenrebuilttheindustryby asking the biggest questions we could imaging. What if we couldmakecoachingavailabletowholeorganisations?What if we could get listening as valued as speaking?And what if wecouldhelporganisationslearnasquicklyasindividuals?

Ifoundthesequestionsirresistible: IwantedtodoforcoachingwhatUberhaddoneforgettinga taxi,Netflixhaddoneforhomeentertainment,andTinderhad donefordating.It’sthesebigdreamsthathavegalvanisedour successinthelastfewyears–andwhichhassetusintheright directionforthefuture.

Buildformodernusers

Despite big dreams, we’ve also made our fair share of mistakes!Alotofthemmistakeshappenedwhenwetookour attentionawayfromourendcustomers.Itsoundsobviousto seeitthereonthepage.Butitcanbeeasytolosesightofthe customersthatmattermost,especiallywhen,asatechCEO, sometime we get preoccupied with a shiny piece of new technology.

So, what to consider first when it comes to users?The main thingtobearinmindisthattheyexpectexperiencesthatare easyandfasttoaccess–ashiftbroughtaboutbywhatwecall the ‘Amazon Prime Mindset.’ In this era, clunky user experiencesreducethechancesofuptakeofservices.Inshort, ifyourtechnologycan’tmatchorexceedthequalityofdigital experiencepeoplegetintheireverydaylives,thenyou’llneed togobacktothedrawingboard.

Createwinsforthemany So,ifuserscomefirst–whoelsecanweharnessthepowerof technologyfor?

Ouranswer?Everyoneelseinthesystem.

Early on in the development of our MyThrive platform, we realisedthatdeliveringdigitallywouldenableustodomore thanjustscaleandfacilitatecoachinginglobalorganisations; it would also mean we could spot trends and patterns within communitiesofusers,inorganisationsorsocietyatlarge.Just ascarefullylisteninghasapowerfulandtransformativerole in one-to-one coaching conversations, carefully listening to and analysing anonymised version of the conversations we host has a powerful and transformative role within whole organisations.

Thewhole-systeminsightsweproducedhashelpedtomake sales processes smoother, improved communications and createdmoreopportunitiesforpeopletolearn.

Keepithuman

With suicide being the biggest killer of men under 45, loneliness sweeping through developed economies in epidemicproportionsandathirdofallyoungpeoplesuffering from anxiety, I strongly believe that we have a duty to keep talkingtoeachotherasasociety.

We believe that keeping the art of conversation alive in this digital age is essential; only humans can master creativity, empathy,humourandimaginationinawaythat’scompelling. Information is everywhere, so we’re using technology differently – to offer real human experiences at scale, at any timeoftheday,wheneverourclientsneedaconversation,for everythingyoucan’tGoogle.

And what of the future? Curiously, even the structures of artificialintelligenceandmachinelearninglooksettomimic humanpatterns.It’sstillearlydays,butleadersinthisspace talkof‘deeplearning’withAI–bylayeringupdifferenttools thatconnectinthesamewayasourbrain’sneuralnetworks.

Andso,thenextthreeyears?

My recent experiences have led us to ask even bigger questionsthanwedidtobeginwith–whichIsuspectwilllead to our next irresistible set of adventures! What if we could transform learning management systems into learning ecosystems? What if any community of learners could connectwithanycommunityofteachers?Andwhatifabetter understanding of outcomes from learning could help both individuals,organisationsandsocietytothrive?

Iforonebelievethereareexcitingtimesahead.

Zach Thompson

Implementing Digital Media Marketing to Drive Business Growth

Manyentrepreneurshavestoriesofhowtheybuilt

thrivingandtransformativecompanies.These storiesshowhowtheyreliedontheirknowledge, skillandexperiencetoovercomeextremeobstacles.Zach Thompson,theco-founderandCEOofMediaSmack,is onesuchentrepreneur.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Zachdiscusseshow hebuiltMediaSmackintoadigitalmediacompanythat offersitsclientsuniqueandcreativelegalmarketing services.DuetoMediaSmack’ssuccessandhiswillingness tosharehisstory,InsightsSuccessrecognizesZach Thompsonasoneofthemostinspiringentrepreneursof 2019.

Belowarehighlightsfromtheinterviewconductedbetween ZachandInsightsSuccess:

Giveabriefoverviewofyourbackgroundandroleat MediaSmack

Ico-foundedMediaSmackin2013withaformercolleague. Wehadpreviouslyworkedinthelegalmarketingfieldand sawaneedforchangingtheconversationof“doesSEO reallywork?”to“mylawfirmabsolutelyneedsSEO”.We sawmanycompaniesinourindustryclaimingtobeSEO andSEM-focused,butatthesametime,theywerefailingto deliveronwhattheyhadpromisedtheirclients.

Atanygivenmoment,Ihaveheldeverypositionwithinour company.Ihavebeenanaccountmanager,sales representative,websitedesigner,SEOstrategistandPPC strategist.In2018,IbecametheCEOofMediaSmackand beganoverseeing30employees.

Howdoyoudiversifysolutionsthatappealtoyour targetaudience?

Legalmarketing,andmarketingingeneral,isamoving target.Thelegalmarketingindustryisconstantlychanging. Youcannotgetstuckinonetypeofprogramandexpectit toworkforallofyourclients.Successinthisindustry dependsonrecognizingtheuniqueneedsofeachofyour clientsandmeetingthoseneeds.Thereisatonofvariation, andyoucannotexpecttosucceedifyoudonotcreate specificstrategiesforeachclient.Weareaveryflexible companythattakesprideinadaptingtoGoogle’severchangingSEOenvironment.Ourcompanymakesita prioritytostayuptodatewithGoogle’snewestrollouts.

Describesomeofthevitalattributesthatevery entrepreneurshouldpossess Entrepreneursneedtopossessadaptiveandresilient personalities.Anentrepreneurhastobewillingtopick themselvesupafterafailure.Itisverymuchlikebeingan athlete.Youarenotgoingtoscoreeverygoal,makeevery shotorwineverygame,butyoukeepshootingand improvingyourskillssoyoucanbethebestonthefield.An entrepreneurhastobedrivenanddedicatedtoimproving. Successisnotgoingtofallintoyourlap.Youmusthavea processtoachieveyourgoals.TogofromAtoZ,youhave tobewillingtodoallofthestepsinbetween.

At MediaSmack, we value hard work, integrity, transparency and innovation above all else. Our clients can rest assured that we have their best interests at heart.

Whatwerethepastexperiences,achievementsorlessons thatshapedyourjourney?

Thiswasmyfirstattemptatstartingacompanyfrom scratch.Therewasalotoftrialanderror,evaluatingand strategicplanninginvolved.Oneofthefirstexperiences thatreallyhelpedthegrowthofourcompanywasgetting thefirstbigreferralfromacurrentclientofours.That referralwasahugeboosttoourcompanyandshowedus thevalueofgainingtrustinthelegalmarketingindustry.

Zach Thompson Co-Founder & CEO MediaSmack

Somemajormilestonesandachievementsthatshaped MediaSmack’ssuccessincludebeingaddedtotheInc.500 FastestGrowingCompanies(#299)list,hittingamillion dollarsinsalesforthefirsttime,andformingastrategic partnershipin2017thatdoubledandthentripledour workforce.Thefeelingofhittingamilliondollarsinsales wasanincrediblyrewardingexperiencethatmadeusfeel likewewerefinallyestablishedintheindustry.Ourjourney ofgrowthcontinuestothisdayandisdefinitelyaride.

Whatweresomeoftheprimalchallengesand roadblocksthatyoufacedduringtheinitialphaseof yourjourney?

Wefacedplentyofchallengesandroadblockswhilewe werepursuingourgoals.Forexample,wehadtoask ourselveswhetherwewantedtobeacompanywith20 clientsor200clients.Anotherchallengewasgrowing effectivelywitheconomiesofscale.Wealsohadtograpple withhiringtherightpersonnelanddecidingonwhetherwe shouldworkfromhomeorinanoffice.Wehadtodecideon whethertouseindependentcontractorsorin-houseW2 employees.Manyofthesechallengesandroadblocksare typicalgrowingpainsforabusinessinitsinfancystage.

Wefacedotherchallengeswithtrialanderror,including choosingthewrongsoftware,makingmistakesonhiringor promotingthewrongpersonnelandmakingmistakeswith ourownexternalmarketinggoals(suchasgoingtothe wrongtradeshows).Allofthesechallengeshelpedshape ourjourneybecausewelearnedfromtheseroadblocks.

WheredoesMediaSmackseeitselfinthenearfuture andhowwillyoucatalyzethechange?

IhaveafewvisionsofwhereIseeMediaSmackinthenear future.MediaSmackhasbeendoingalotofspeaking engagements.Iwouldliketocontinuethatandgrowto becomeaveryprominentspeakerinthelegalmarketing field.WealsomovedthecompanyheadquarterstoAustin, Texasthisyear,andareexpandingourpresenceinthe SouthandMidwestlegalmarkets.Basedonlastyearand thisyear’sannualprojections,weexpecttohittheInc.5000 FastestGrowingCompanieslistforasecondtime,whichis anexcitingachievementforMediaSmack.

Whatisyouradviceforemergingentrepreneurs?

Youhavetohaveastrongsupportsystemathomeandin lifeingeneral.Totrulybecomesuccessful,youhavetobe flexibleandwillingtoworkatanypositionwithinyour company.Youalsohavetosetshort-term,mid-termand long-termgoals.Asuccessfulentrepreneurshouldalways evaluateandsetnewgoals.Youalsohavetobewillingto workerharderthanyourcompetitors.